15:35 Kempton

Friday 10 February 2023

All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3516:1016:45

Visit racingtv.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 5m 19.20s

No No Tango^t1²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Paul O'Brien| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 111

10/3

Fair form in 2m maiden/novice hurdles late last year and he improved when runner-up on handicap debut at Huntingdon (19.6f) 4 weeks ago, plenty to do 3 out and noted running on. Still unexposed and he looks sure to go well again. Tongue tie fitted.

Form: 6-2552

Ferrobin^p,t¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Charlie Hammond| T: M Young| OR: 109| D

33/1

Landed an amateur jockeys' handicap at Ludlow on return last winter and best effort since when fourth back at that venue in December. Disappointed over 2m here next time but this rates more suitable than his latest assignment on the Flat.

Form: 188-645

Russian Rumour⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Finn Lambert⁽⁵⁾| T: J G Portman| OR: 109

14/1

Fair stayer on the Flat who made a winning start over hurdles at Lingfield (19.5f) last winter. Not built on that in handful of hurdle outings since but her mark is steadily easing and she arrives fit from spins on the level in December.

Form: 1545-9

Ahead Of The Field⁸⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 108

20/1

Fair hurdle winner in Ireland who struck over fences for present yard at Southwell (20.5f) last December. Inconsistent since, failing to complete all 3 starts this term, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out at Wincanton in November. Returns to timber now.

Form: 724-PBP

Hardy Boy^p1⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Luca Morgan| T: B Pauling| OR: 104| D

10/3

Signed off last term with a brace of handicap wins at around 20f. Yet to scale same heights in trio of starts this campaign but the assessor is steadily relinquishing his grip and fitting of cheekpieces may help now.

Form: 211-708

Justified⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 103| D

14/1

Enjoyed a good spell last summer, opening his hurdles account at Huntingdon (20.6f) in June prior to a pair of solid placed efforts. Not at best returning from 3 months off back at that venue in December though, and he's been absent again since.

Form: 413258

Deer Hunter⁷⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: Mrs D O'Neill| OR: 100

40/1

Showed ability in this sphere for Harry Whittington during early stages of 2020/21 campaign but he was well held on debut for this yard in an AW bumper when last seen over 2 years ago.

Form: 754430/

Sami Bear⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Freddie Gordon⁽⁷⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 99

5/2

Off the mark from 6 lower mark at Plumpton (17.7f) last April and made the frame next 3 starts. Swerved and unseated last when holding every chance at Wincanton (19.8f) 8 days ago and he's a player provided those antics can be kept in check.

Form: 31-332U

Battle March^h⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 95

22/1

Showed improved form to get off the mark in 18.5f Exeter novice in October 2021 but he offered little returning from 15 months off when well held twelfth of 16 in a Wincanton handicap in December. This should reveal more.

Form: 4/2661-0

Optimistic Belief⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Phelan| OR: 90

12/1

Offered little on Flat last year but perked up by switch back to hurdling when good second in 17-runner Chepstow handicap (19.5f) in October. However, he failed to replicate that at Fontwell on Boxing Day.

Form: 5P6-26

What's My Line^p⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: M Goldstein| T: M Madgwick| OR: 81

10/1

Showed improved form to score readily in refitted cheekpieces at Fontwell (21.7f) in October. However, his record is a patchy one and he ran poorly when pulled up at Wincanton (24.7f) on New Year's Day. Others more appealing.

Form: 5-2651P

Forecasts

Sami Bear (5/2), Hardy Boy (10/3), No No Tango (10/3), What's My Line (10/1), Optimistic Belief (12/1), Justified (14/1), Russian Rumour (14/1), Ahead Of The Field (20/1), Battle March (22/1), Ferrobin (33/1), Deer Hunter (40/1)

NO NO TANGO showed improved form when runner-up on handicap debut at Huntingdon 4 weeks ago, running on having been set plenty to do, and, with further progress anticipated, he earns the vote to confirm the promise of that run now. Sami Bear threw his chance away when swerving and unseating at Wincanton recently but is clearly still on a workable mark if his antics can be kept in check. Hardy Boy is also worth a second look.